Encountering a child a few years younger than himself after such a long time was rather fascinating.
She was a brazen child, as if she were living her second life.
And, possibly, a daughter of Duke Matthias.
Of course, Matthias was so dangerous that even if she were his daughter, if he deemed her worthless, it was clear he would abandon her without hesitation.
How had it been when Matthias himself was receiving his succession education? Those who stood against him, those who betrayed him, were torn apart and killed.
Such incidents were common in their lineage. But Matthias showed an even more brutal cruelty. He ruthlessly slaughtered even those who appeared to be on his side but seemed weak.
And now, the little child, SiEun, who somehow survived until now.
She seemed savvy enough to be cunning, but weak in every way.
‘It would be a pity if such a child named SiEun dies early.’
But it was time to end this sentimentality. Leonhardt, with his stiff expression as always, took a seat next to the baby.
‘Should I test her?’
He intended to probe the child as if pressing a persimmon. With his chin propped up, he turned to SiEun and tossed a word.
Should we start with what I already know?
“Nightstand. What’s your name?”
The child, called ‘nightstand’, opened her mouth quietly towards him.
“I’m not a nightstand, I’m SiEun.”
As the child bravely opened her mouth, her pigtails, likely clumsily tied by those strange maids, fluttered.
“SiEun. SiEun Mirmod?”
“Hmm.”
SiEun turned her head again. It seems she lost interest in him instantly.
It appeared that none of Leonhardt caught SiEun’s curiosity.
Amused by this, Leonhardt chuckled quietly.
‘A child who doesn’t wonder about my mask. Well, she is Duke Matthias’s daughter, after all.’
If she was the daughter of ‘that’ Duke Matthias, then it was to be expected.
She probably didn’t find anything curious in her life.
‘Surely Duke Matthias must have abused her.’
If it was Grand Duke Matthias, it was entirely possible.
The boy had sneaked into the Mirmode family and stolen a few of the family’s secrets. Among those secrets was the reason for the banishment of ‘Grand Duke Matthias’.
He was always associated with the modifier, ‘always a brutal and villainous man.’ It was a matter of course. Such a brutal and villainous man could not have raised his daughter properly.
Leonhardt quietly opened his mouth.
“So you’re the daughter of ‘that’ Matthias.”
This little girl was the daughter of ‘that’ vicious and terrifying demon, Matthias Mirmode.
I thought she would be a monster, but she’s as lovely as a little bird…….
……but not lovely.
Leonhardt made a bit of an effort to maintain his unemotional expression as he looked at Sien.
“Hmm.”
Sien yawned again. She seemed reluctant to talk more.
But Leonhardt was different. He was curious about what kind of life Sien had lived. Whether she had lived hiding herself in someone else’s shadow, like him. If she had been tormented by Matthias…….
“……Yes. In the history of our family, there was never anyone like Grand Duke Matthias.”
Sien stared at him as it seemed like the conversation about Grand Duke Matthias would continue. It seemed to be a subject she was interested in, as her eyes shone brightly.
It was only natural for Sien to react this way. Leonhardt himself, when he thought of those who had abused him, his eyes used to sparkle.
‘Yes, you must know well about the cruel and heartless nature of your father. Sien Mirmode.’
There were many people who committed evil deeds as nonchalantly as Matthias. However, there was no one who had such overwhelming power, possessed elegant beauty, and was so brutal.
Or someone who disappeared as if dead, only to return.
And no one who had such an overwhelming presence, even when still.
Leonhardt was curious about Matthias and was curious about what Sien would respond with.
“Hmm. Of course, there wouldn’t be.”
Seeing Sien nod, Leonhardt calmly observed her expression. A subtle blush had appeared on her soft, mochilike cheeks.
Leonhardt, who was not good at dealing with emotions, only knew one reason why a person’s face would turn red.
It was fear.
‘I suspected, but it’s true. Sien is afraid of Lord Matthias. Lord Matthias has no mercy, even on his own children.’
It was a natural assumption that Matthias had tormented Sien. But seeing the young girl’s face turn red and about to cry, an uncomfortable feeling surged in his heart.
How could anyone torment such a cute young girl?
Thinking so while being a child himself, Leonhardt nonchalantly said the next words.
“So you understand that you may die at any time.”
Grand Duke Matthias could kill Sien at any time. Considering his usual temperament, Sien’s death was only a matter of time.
Did Sien know this evident fact?
Surprisingly, Sien nodded.
However, her face did not look despondent.
“Right. But I’ll never give in. I will live.”
Leonhardt saw an astonishing will to survive on the little girl’s face and was briefly stunned.
‘That’ Grand Duke Matthias also had a determined and strong spirit.
Could it be why this young girl survived the Grand Duke Matthias and came together to the ducal house.
Thinking that she’s an interesting little kid, Leonhardt continued the conversation.
“Yes. Live.”
Sien kept nodding her head.
Leonhardt looked down at the small chestnut and nodded again.
That chestnut, quite cool.
The chestnut in the sunlight, Sien closed her eyes tight and sneezed lightly.
“Achoo.”
What’s this?
It’s even cute.
Sien sneaked a look at him and whispered.
“Phew, leave me alone.”
Leonhardt tilted his head.
“Why?”
“Because it seems like the sun is coming.”
It wasn’t wrong, as rapid footsteps were heard from outside.
He smiled mischievously and looked down at the small child who was as small as a chestnut.
Strangely, he kept wanting to see that soft face. Maybe because her cheeks reminded him of the slime he used to play with a few years ago.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
